After modifying an Airbus H125 AStar with several upgrades, Metro Aviation recently delivered the new-production helicopter to the Texas Game Wardens, a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In addition to an Oceana Aviation Cargo Swing, a frame that enables carriage of heavier external loads, Metro installed an L3Harris Wescam thermal imaging system with moving map, searchlight, and 17-inch touchscreen mission monitor, as well as SiriusXM radio.
The mission equipment includes a programmable video switch with push-button source switching, according to Metro, as well as a flip-down 10-inch monitor, data converter that cross-fills point data from the moving map to a Garmin GPS navigator, public address loud hailer, Flightcell DZM Iridium satellite and cellular communication unit, Garmin traffic advisory system, and Garmin GFC 600H autopilot.
Responsible for conservation law enforcement, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, and other activities, the Texas Game Wardens have used aviation assets since 1930. The organization has another AStar and a 2014 AS350B3e in its fleet, and has two unspecified Cessna airplanes on order.
"With the delivery of the 2023 Airbus H125 completed by Metro Aviation, along with our 2014 H125, we will have a strong fleet of AStar helicopters in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Aviation Unit," said Game Warden chief pilot Brandon Rose.